A radial support bearing assembly for use within a steering column assembly having an outer tube and a shaft 50, including at least one inner ring 70 defining an inner raceway, the inner ring 70 being axially fixed relative to the shaft 50, at least one outer ring 30 defining an outer raceway, and a plurality of roller elements 60 disposed between the at least one inner ring 70 and the at least one outer ring 30 in rolling contact with the inner raceway and the outer raceway. The inner ring 70 is in direct contact with the shaft 50 and has a circular cross-section as taken in a plane parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the shaft 50.